A massive overhaul for Britain’s airports is under way. The UK government is aiming to put the needs of consumers at the center of all decisions made. The Civil Aviation Authority has been given the job of promoting what passengers want. Passenger Focus, which already looks out for the interests of bus and rail riders, will also be doing the same thing for airline passengers as well. All of these tasks must be performed by the airlines while still being able to handle their environment responsibilities.

The overall goal of this reform is to help change up the UK airport industry. This big change up will also include the demand to break up the BAA monopoly on Scottish and London airports. This demand will come from the Competition Commission.

The Civil Aviation Authority is putting together a three tier licensing system. This will allow swifter action to address certain service quality problems that are brought up to the airports. The Civil Aviation Authority hopes that by putting the passengers’ needs first, airports can help put an end to the low air traffic rate that has been causing many airlines to have to cutback on the number of flights.

The aviation industry has already put this new plan under attack. Some airlines feel that it would be a risky idea to put so much regulatory power into a new, unproven system. The chief executive of easyJet, Andy Harrison, said that the Civil Aviation Authority “lacks the resources, expertise, and above all credibility to be an effective regulator.”

Thanks to Breaking Travel News for the quote.